“It’s not my fault,” Sarah blurted out. A rise of frustration took hold, of all the years of being a spinster. She didn’t deserve this life, and she wanted a way out. The longer she remained in this trap, the more likely it was that her cousin, Lewis Barnabas, would find a way to hurt her.
A shudder came over her at the thought. No, she would never let herself be with a man like him.
“I know it’s not your fault,” Amelia agreed. “But it’s a delicate situation. Perhaps it would be better if you attended an outing instead of an assembly or a ball. A smaller group might be best.” She sipped at her own tea and offered Sarah a plate of sandwiches.
She took one, but her pulse quickened. Amelia Andrews needed to fully understand the necessity of her finding a husband.
“I want a husband,” Sarah repeated slowly. “A respectable gentleman with a decent income, few debts, and a willingness to overlook my brother’s deeds.”
“I can try to help you, but I don’t know if it’s possible.”
Now was the moment to lay her cards upon the table. Though her conscience cried out, she forced out the words, “I know about Aphrodite’s Unmentionables.”
Amelia blanched for the briefest moment before she smiled. “What about them? Most of the women in London are wearing the undergarments.” The false brightness in her voice told Sarah that she’d guessed correctly.
“I know that you and your sisters are responsible for them,” Sarah said. Though it was like a blade shredding her principles, she saw no other choice. “And I know how terrible it would be if the ton learned of your involvement—especially your sister, Her Grace, the Duchess of Worthingstone.”
“I want you to leave,” Amelia said, rising to her feet. Fury brewed in her eyes, and she pointed to the door. “Your accusations are unfounded, and you’ll get no help from me in your quest for a husband.”
It burned her, but Sarah nodded. “Very well. Then you’ll understand if I spread the news to everyone.”
The silence from Amelia Andrews was deafening. For a long moment, Sarah wondered if she’d made the right decision to reveal what she knew.
“You’re more like your brother than I’d guessed,” she said softly.
“No, I’m not. But as I told you, I have no other options available. If you’ll help me find a husband, I’ll never reveal your secret. You have my word.”
“And what is that worth?” Amelia countered.
“It’s worth the price of your reputation.” Sarah stood from the settee, her mood somber. She’d never wanted to stoop to this, but there was no other choice. “Or if you cannot help me with a husband, then you can provide me with a house of my own and an income to live on. Perhaps a portion of your profits from Aphrodite’s Unmentionables.”
“Blackmail is a criminal offense,” Amelia countered. “I could have you arrested.”
“You’ve no proof of it.” Sarah walked to the doorway and turned back. “I’ll expect to hear from you in the next few days.”
The next morning, Amelia awoke at dawn. Her stomach was still twisted in knots over what she’d learned from Lady Sarah. Though she suspected she should simply ignore the woman, the risk was there. If a breath of this scandal got out, it would affect all of them.
Margaret was still asleep in their shared room, and Amelia took her clothes into a nearby bedroom so her maid could dress her. She’d chosen a light fawn morning gown, trimmed with velvet ribbon. Though it wasn’t a color most women liked, Amelia knew that it set off her hair and drew a man’s attention to her face.
She was grateful for Lord Lisford’s invitation this morning, for she desperately needed a way to take her mind off yesterday’s events. There had to be a way of silencing Lady Sarah and protecting her family’s secrets.
The morning was misty and cool as she traveled with her maid toward the eastern bank of the Serpentine, where she’d promised to meet Lord Lisford.Charles, she reminded herself, testing out the name. One day she would call him that.
Amelia was impatient to see him and was grateful when she spied the viscount waiting near his phaeton. So hehadreceived her note asking him to meet earlier. She was glad of it and motioned for her maid to stand back at a slight distance.
“Good morning, Miss Andrews.” He bowed, smiling warmly.
“Good morning, my lord.” She returned the smile, and he helped her inside, while her maid took a seat on the rumble behind.
“Forgive me for not paying a formal call upon you,” he apologized. “I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable, after what happened with your older sister.”
She had no desire to talk about Margaret and wished he hadn’t brought it up. Already she was feeling guilty about this secret meeting. If it had been any other man who had broken her sister’s heart, Amelia would never have looked twice at him. But even years ago, she’d begged Margaret to leave the viscount alone. She’d pined for him, wanting so badly for him to look at her and see the young woman who adored him.
But he’d wanted Margaret then, and it had shattered her sixteen-year-old heart. Now that she was older and wiser, Amelia wanted to believe that there could be a chance for them.
“Itisawkward,” she admitted. “It hurt Margaret’s feelings a great deal when you broke the engagement.”
“How could I keep it,” he murmured, “when I was losing my heart to someone else?”
